BY IME SORNITO
ILOILO City – In a decisive move that could see top brass ousted, the Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) has called for the ouster of senior officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)-Iloilo and CAAP Area 6, citing a critical breakdown in management at the Iloilo Airport that threatens to upend its operations.
“The IDC sees a leadership crisis in the Iloilo Airport; hence, new, responsive, and more active management is needed to address the prevailing concerns,” read part of the committee’s Resolution No. 05, series of 2023 passed yesterday morning during its fourth quarter meeting at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office 6,
The IDC is chaired by Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas and Ma Luisa C. Segovia, vice president of Iloilo Business Club (IBC).
Engr. Eusebio Monserate Jr. currently sits as the acting area manager of CAAP Area 6, while Manuela Luisa Palma is the manager of Iloilo Airport.
Treñas lamented that the two officials failed to attend the IDC meeting yesterday despite the calls for updates on the upgrading and development of the Iloilo Airport.
He said several airport facilities and equipment need repair and improvement, particularly the non-working escalators.
Only two chillers are fully operational, while the remaining two chillers are 50 percent operational, he added.
“I am very disappointed with the present status of the Iloilo Airport. The air conditioning machines, x-rays, and escalators are not working. Even the toilets are smelly. It is no longer the same airport. Furthermore, the passenger terminal is congested. No plans from CAAP-national at all,” said Treñas.
The Iloilo Airport, which was the fifth busiest airport in the Philippines in 2022, according to Treñas, is not in good condition and cannot accommodate the increasing passenger and cargo traffic.
Treñas explained that multiple requests from him and the RDC-IDC to the management of CAAP-Iloilo and CAAP Area 6 to take action were made, but nothing has been done.
“Daw wala gid, to the detriment of the public,” the city mayor said.
The development of the airport as the main gateway of Western Visayas is vital to the ongoing development efforts of the region, particularly the recent feat of Iloilo City as the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, as added to the content of the resolution.
With this, the RDC-IDC has unanimously approved the resolution, a copy of which has been furnished to the Office of the President (OP), OP-Presidential Management Staff, Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Transportation, and CAAP-Central Office for appropriate action.
Panay News has reached out to CAAP-Iloilo for any reaction but has “no comments” on the matter.
CAAP-Iloilo only said that the management is not neglecting the problem, especially in improving the facilities. But because of the procurement and bidding process in compliance with the law, it is taking a long time.
Calls for the upgrading and expanding Iloilo Airport intensified in the past month.
“I’ve grown concerned as it’s been a lengthy wait; it truly is time. Our airport is becoming congested. We are seeing a rising number of passengers traveling to and from Iloilo,” Treñas remarked.
Beyond addressing airport congestion and the connectivity needs of travelers, Treñas highlighted the airport’s pivotal role in spurring economic growth and promoting tourism for the city, the province, and the entire Western Visayas.
The Iloilo Provincial Development Council recently echoed these sentiments in a resolution.
“Our current terminal is overcrowded. An expansion is desperately needed,” said Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
The Iloilo Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (ILED) supports a public-private partnership (PPP) to enhance the Iloilo Airport. ILED, chaired by Terence Uygongco, is urging CAAP to address the airport’s deteriorating condition promptly.
They believe the airport’s outdated infrastructure impedes economic growth and tourism potential in the Western Visayas. ILED stressed the urgent need for a PPP initiative to hasten essential upgrades and ensure top-tier, sustainable airport services.
“Collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors are paramount. Through PPP, we can leverage expertise and resources, ensuring efficient upgrades and long-term maintenance, benefiting both residents and visitors alike. ILED calls upon the CAAP and private entities to join hands in this transformative endeavor, propelling Iloilo towards a vibrant, economically thriving future,” said Uygongco.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce Inc. (PCCI)-Iloilo also pressed relevant authorities to hasten not only the airport’s expansion but also that of the Iloilo International Seaport.
The group emphasized the pressing need to develop the main international and domestic gateways to boost tourism and business in the city and province of Iloilo.
“These may be done through additional government fund allocations and/or public-private partnership agreements. The urgent attention to this appeal will surely catalyze increased investments, business growth, employment and tourism for Iloilo and our neighboring provinces,” Woo stressed.
The IBC echoed these sentiments.
“IBC supports any improvement, expansion (of the airport) because Iloilo has been named the best hub for retirement. We are also promoting investment and tourism so the improvement must not be delayed,” remarked Segovia.
Funding and Proposals
It’s worth noting that the IDC, in a letter dated Aug. 3, 2023, to Department of Transportation (DOTr) secretary Jaime J. Bautista, sought swift action regarding the funding for the airport’s proposed expansion.
“We have received information that the upgrading of the Iloilo Airport has been left out of the 2024 budget for infrastructure development of the Department of Transportation. This is a setback for the region, given the importance of the Iloilo Airport in sustaining our growth momentum,” Treñas informed Bautista.
The IDC advocated for a swift review and approval of the Unsolicited Proposal (USP) and the project’s realization through PPP, as it wasn’t included in the approved National Expenditure Program.
Following this, the IDC passed a resolution on Sept. 15, 2023, pressing the DOTr and CAAP to fast-track the USP review for the airport’s expansion and upgrade.
According to the PPP Center, two potential investors have presented USPs to the DOTr for the airport’s expansion.
Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC) proposed a P9.95 billion offer for the airport’s upgrade, expansion, operation, and maintenance. In contrast, Prime Asset Venture, Inc.’s bid stands at P6.89 billion.
The proposed expansion encompasses upgrades to the Passenger Terminal Building (PTB), constructing an apron adjacent to the PTB, installing necessary equipment for passenger services, and modernizing related facilities./PN
